Iglesia de la Virgen Peregrina

The Church of the Virgin of the Virgin of Peregrina is a religious building in the city of Ponte Vedela in Galicia (Spain). It consists of a scallop-shaped chapel at the foot of the Camino Mountain in Santiago, Portugal. Construction began in 1778 and is one of the most symbolic and relevant buildings in Ponte Vetra. It is dedicated to the Virgin and, according to tradition, guides pilgrims from Bayonne to Santiago. The church is dedicated to the statue of the Virgin of Peregrina (Virxe da Peregrina, 19th century), the patron saint of Ponte Vedela and the patron saint of the Portuguese Path. It was declared a monument of historical art in 1982, incorporating the late Baroque and neoclassical forms such as the main altar paintings built in 1789. Its flat shape is inspired by scallop shells, which are typical symbols of pilgrims and have a cross-shaped end. This circular shape is related to the type prevailing in Portuguese temples at the time. Admiral Casto Méndez Núñez donated a huge mussel, which he brought back from the Pacific Ocean on a multiple voyage, which sits at the entrance to the church and acts as a holy pool of holy water. The clock on the North Tower was installed in 1896 from the demolition San Juan de Dios Hospital. The bells of the hospital were also installed inside the church. In 1981, the temple was repaired for the first time to repair severe structural damage (the building cracks due to the movement of the foundation). It was performed by César Portela and José Bar Boo. The second most important restoration took place in 2008 and restored elements such as stained glass windows, walls, paintings and tower bells. It is a church with a central plan. The floor plan was inspired by the scallops, a characteristic symbol of the pilgrims, with a cross engraved inside. The floor plan is round, but by including the anteroom, it presents the shape of the scallop shell. The circular hall that forms the temple itself consists of four grooved columns, which support the low front arches and the prominent jaws on which stand. Above it stands a dome with half moon shape and lanterns. It has a dome, lanterns and dome.

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